Introduction: Hello! I'm Arya. I look forward to meeting you.
*Folks finding me through Thumbtack receive a 60-minute consultation session at no cost. A lot of value with little risk*
*A bit of my background*
> 10+ years in private practice
> Several qualifications/certifications in the areas of counseling, life coaching, leadership, etc. (see my profile for a detailed list)
> Top-ranked in my field on Yelp for Berkeley area (search Empowered Journey to see all of my reviews)
> Just started on Thumbtack so slowly building my presence here
*I hold a range of trainings and certifications including:*
> Counseling (InterChange, 200 hours)
> Life coaching (CTI, 200 hours)
> Leadership training (CTI, 205 hours)
> Mindfulness meditation/Buddhist psychology (Theravada/Vajrayana, 500 hours)
> Stress management and personal resilience (SMART, 285 hours)
> Grief and bereavement training (Josie's Place, 100 hours)
> Transformational NLP (NLPMarin, 72 hours)
> Authentic Feeling (Adam Gainsburg, 100 hours)
> Somatic/process psychology (Process-Oriented Psychology, 200 hours)
> Ritual and initiation practices, expressive arts practices (200 hours)
> Hatha yoga (Ashtanga/Shivananda/Kriya, 500 hours)
*I offer four types of marriage/relationship counseling and coaching services*
1. Urgent Intervention: for couples in acute breakdown, imminent breakup, or other breaking points
2. Cultivation: for couples that are not in crisis, but are struggling to create the relationship they long for
3. Power Couple: for couples that are wanting tailored coaching and training to become the high-achieving couple they aspire to be
4. Singles: for individuals wanting to find an amazing partner and achieve a deeply satisfying relationship
Not sure which Path is right for you? Strike up a conversation and I'll be happy to better inform you.
(I also run a personal counseling and coaching business called 'Empowered Journey' which is also on Thumbtack, supporting individuals around themes of self-empowerment, managing difficult emotions and stress, healing, spiritual counsel, accessing creativity, finding purpose and satisfaction, organization and productivity, success, etc.)
My relationship work is informed by the observation that satisfying romantic relationship does not simply happen–it is intentionally cultivated.
My methodology is a personally developed blend of 4 distinct and complementary skill-sets:
1. Rediscovering Love: Again and again, learning how to disarm the alarm of the moment and return to the core feelings of love, admiration and attraction that sustains visionary relationship
2. Empowering Communication: Putting an end to blame and shame dynamics, instead bringing deepened understanding, trust and intimacy
3. Healing Old Hurts: Leveraging the vulnerability inherent in romantic relationship to heal the old hurts you have carried with you through your life, leading to greater ease, joy and freedom
4. Creating From Intimacy: Using connection, trust and intimacy as a springboard, learning how to imagine and implement new creative possibilities and thus profoundly enhancing your life and world
Helping couples thrive as persons and as teams is the most satisfying work in the world to me. I am both incredibly honored and humbled to be allowed into the inner life of a couple, and I hold this responsibility and mission with the utmost respect and reverence.
Because of this fundamental approach, I am fully committed to my clients, and strive to over-deliver value in our work together. It is not an easy job to walk with a couple through their very real and raw ups and downs, but it is my calling and thus extremely fulfilling. I look forward to working with you.
*Please see my yelp page for the largest collection of positive reviews by searching for 'Empowered Journey'*

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, responsiveness, and punctuality.

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Keme O.

Updated Review December 2018: Looking for a life coach is never an easy task. Finding a stranger to bear your soul to that generally cares for your success. What a task!
After finding Arya, I find it is a little easier to breath in times when I usually would be in full panic. Even my usually calm times have an extra level of peace to them.
I had gone through a series of healers and therapist looking for someone that felt dedicated. I went through the therapist that judges while you speak, the kind healer a few states over, several groups, and just a whole run around through of counselors my medical providers sent me to.
When I found Arya, I was going through an especially dark time. He was able to hold space while I worked through my issues, help me create the roadmap to my higher self, and learn to truly be in the now.
The flexibility of scheduling to create the best plan that works for me was a relief. I go every other week with check ins in between. The check ins help me stay on track when I stumble. Reminders about my plan keep me focused on me. I’ve studied Dietetics but find that my nutritional intake is better than ever. I even find myself with more energy to create. The breathing and meditative work we’ve done has really showed through. Even my coworkers say I look more peaceful.
It is easier every day to choose heart and hold myself. I don’t fear the darkness like I used to. Now when it occurs I walk through with my strength and am guided to self.
I look forward to the work we will continue to do and I am so grateful that his practice exists. 10/10
Original review August 2018: This counselor listened to our issues and set a plan we could all agree on. I feel a bright future working with him and would highly recommend to people that may be fearful or have felt judged by others in his profession

Arya is one of the most gifted guided counselors I’ve ever met. His astute awareness to key into what’s being spoken and what’s beneath the words is one of the things that make him such an effective marriage and relationship counselor. He has a gentle way of showing you the way to your truth by asking the right questions or roleplaying with yourself or your partner. His process is nonintimidating and creative which is especially helpful under the circumstances of dealing with years of sensitive issues. My boyfriend and I were at a crossroad of parting ways when we took the leap to try couples counseling and coaching instead of psychotherapy. The results of our time invested with Arya have made us whole again and more in love than ever before. Thank you Arya! You are one of a kind!
Nancy

Aug 28, 2018

Madeleina B.

Arya is a master counselor and life coach. He brings a potent combination of skills into his work: a sincere heart, a highly intelligent mind, and a wealth of professional training and experience. Every session feels expertly held in a professional yet humane container; the real issues are addressed, directly and sometimes sternly, but always with an authentic kindness and care.
Arya has helped me to:
-cut through my insecurities and obstacles around my artwork
-focus in on and take more action with my career in more ambitious and visionary ways
-navigate very old and difficult patterns with my family
-recognize and begin to authentically relate to things I was avoiding about myself/my life in a way that has led to way more relief, freedom and positive action
-and just more generally, being someone in my life I can trust to help me through the ups and downs of being a human
I'll share one more thing: though I didn't experience this directly, my dear friends went to Arya for couples coaching/relationship counseling. They said they received incredible benefit from their work with Arya, and that if not for his intervention, they don't know if they would have made it. They spoke about his acute attention to detail, especially in tracking the subtle habitual ways that they would shut down or leave their hearts, while giving them practicable alternatives to create the kind of connected, intimate, and fulfilling relationship they were longing for but couldn't find.
There's a reason (many reasons) why Arya is at the top of this yelp list. He is absolutely worth it!

Jul 16, 2018

Photos and Videos

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FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

Couples finding me through Thumbtack receive a 60-minute consultation session at no cost.
If we decide to begin working together, my hourly rate is $150.
I work with couples in shorter sessions (75 minutes totaling $187.50) or longer sessions (90 minutes totaling $225). I offer month packages (ususally 2 to 3 sessions per month), which come along with a small discount.
*Additional Services*
I offer an 'additional services' option, which includes between-session text and email support and detailed session notes, and is billed as an additional $75 per month.
I also offer a premium service option of 'on-call support' for clients wanting short phone calls as-needed between sessions. This service is billed as an additional $150 per month.
*Making Payments*
Payment is made in full for the upcoming month's sessions (like a gym membership)
*Financial Hardship*
For those in financial hardship, I offer two scholarship positions and one pro-bono position. These offerings are only considered after a consultation and conversation about your financial hardship.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

We begin with a 60-minute consultation at no cost to you. In preparation for the consultation, I have each person in the relationship fill out an intake questionnaire, as well as a short personality assessment.
For the consultation, I can meet in-person in Berkeley or Marin, or remotely over the video conferencing software Zoom (free and simple program/app).
If after our consultation we decide that we are a good fit, we will co-create a program, and begin meeting that week or the following. For couples clients, I recommend meeting every-other week or 3 times a month, depending on available time and finances.
I am very outcomes-oriented, and expect that you are receiving value within our very first session. We will work in our first sessions to establish rapport, explore a vision of where you want your relationship and lives to be longer-term, and create short-term goals to begin working towards these outcomes.
We will also explore the personal/relationship obstacles that have historically gotten in the way of these outcomes, including habit patterns, beliefs/perspectives, emotions, reactions, history, trauma, etc. We will identify and practice better alternatives to these obstacles, until they are available as behavioral (not just intellectual) options.
We will consistently be checking our work against the bigger map of your long-term visions, adjusting our approach as needed.
Though there is no standard amount of time I work with a couple, I suggest setting an initial expectation of 2-4 months. Typically I work with my clients for somewhere between 3 months to over a year or more.
There is no ongoing contract you must agree to; we work on a month-to-month basis.